Although this Pokémon is capable of surviving in even the most polluted ponds, it is usually overlooked by Trainers because it is pathetically weak: even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. It is not a strong swimmer, and currents in the water will sweep it downstream. They are normally seen using {{m|Splash}} to leap out of the water, which is strange, as it makes them easy targets to predators such as {{Pidgeot}}. Before the species multiplied, it is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than the Magikarp seen today, and this belief has led scientists to research this species.

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Although this Pokémon is capable of surviving in even the most polluted ponds, it is usually overlooked by Trainers because it is pathetically weak: even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. It is not a strong swimmer, and currents in the water will sweep it downstream. They are normally seen using {{m|Splash}} to leap out of the water, which is strange, as it makes them easy targets to predators such as {{p|Pidgeot}}. Before the species multiplied, it is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than the Magikarp seen today, and this belief has led scientists to research this species.

Biology

Physiology

Magikarp is a reddish-orange, medium-sized fish. Its notable characteristics include large, heavy scales. Its fins are primarily white, but it has two stiff, three-peaked fins on its back and stomach that are both yellow. It also has long barbels.

Gender differences

A female has white barbels and a male has tan ones. In Platinum (but no other games to date), the male also has a slightly bigger light band on its forehead compared to the female.

Special abilities

Long-lived Magikarp are able to utilize their immense splashing power to leap high enough to scale mountains. Magikarp also have a strong enough immune system to survive in the most polluted of waters.

Behavior

Although this Pokémon is capable of surviving in even the most polluted ponds, it is usually overlooked by Trainers because it is pathetically weak: even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. It is not a strong swimmer, and currents in the water will sweep it downstream. They are normally seen using Splash to leap out of the water, which is strange, as it makes them easy targets to predators such as Pidgeot. Before the species multiplied, it is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than the Magikarp seen today, and this belief has led scientists to research this species.

Habitat

Magikarp is found in many bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, due to its weak swimming ability it usually lives downstream of the water's flow. Magikarp are extremely plentiful, living in almost any region. No one really knows how this Pokémon survived, however, Magikarp is rare in the Unova region, unlike the other regions.

Diet

In the anime

Major appearances

Several episodes, the first one being in Battle Aboard the St. Anne, involve a particular salesman trying to sell certain Pokémon to someone. The person he is usually trying to con is James and he usually sells Magikarp, claiming that they're very valuable.

Other

In The Joy of Pokémon, a Nurse Joy from the Orange Islands befriended a giant Magikarp that saved her as a child. It evolved into an equally large Gyarados, but it remained friendly.

Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.

Magikarp shares the same species name with Feebas. They are both known as Fish Pokémon.

Every one of Magikarp's Pokédex entries talks about either its lack of strength, its tendency to Splash, or both.

Magikarp's FireRed Pokédex entry remarks on its lack of power and speed. While the power part is true, Magikarp in fact sports a base 80 Speed stat, making it quite fast.

The Pokédex entries for Magikarp in Gold and HeartGold and Platinum contradict each other; Gold and HeartGold say that Magikarp never jumps more than seven feet, whereas Platinum version states that it may jump over a mountain after living many years.

Magikarp is one of the most common Pokémon in the game, found everywhere it is possible to fish (except in Unova, where it is not found in the wild at all in Black and White, and only in the Nature Preserve in Black 2 and White 2, though is obtainable through the Magikarp Salesman on Marvelous Bridge).

Magikarp is one of the only Pokémon that is obtainable in every main-series game, including expansion games and remakes.

Origin

Magikarp is based on a legend about how carp that leapt over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles. This may have inspired an element in Pokémon Snap where, after certain steps are taken, a Magikarp will splash its way into a waterfall where it evolves. Magikarp may also be based on Asian carps, which are easily frightened by disturbances in water and can jump 8–10 feet (2.5–3 m) in the air.

Name origin

Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp, possibly mocking the Magikarp as a species, as someone with 'magic' powers is generally thought to be quite powerful, which Magikarp is not (though carp are said to be able to transform into dragons, which is magical in its own way). It may also be the combination of Magi (the three kings from the story of the Nativity) and carp.

Koiking is a combination of 鯉 koi (carp) and king, giving its name an ironic slant similar to its English name.